Information processing apparatus and information processing method

Abstract

A CPU executes initialization for allocating a storage area of an auxiliary storage device for a program execution area after a particular application program is loaded into the program execution area and becomes executable. Subsequently, the CPU loads a plurality of application programs into the program execution area.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An information processing apparatus capable of executing an application program on an operating system, comprising:
 a first storage unit;   a second storage unit;   an allocation unit configured to allocate a physical storage area of the first storage unit for a program execution area of a first application program;   a loading unit configured to load the first application program into the physical storage area allocated for the program execution area; and   an initialization unit configured to, after the loading unit loads the first application program into the physical storage area, execute an initialization process of a virtual storage area including a process for allocating a physical storage area of the second storage unit for the virtual storage area, the virtual storage area being used for executing an application program on the operating system.   
     
     
         2 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the second storage unit stores the operating system and the application program. 
     
     
         3 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a setting unit configured to set the first application program. 
     
     
         4 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the allocation unit allocates the physical storage area of the first storage unit for the program execution area, in a case where a storage capacity available for the application program in the first storage unit is larger than a storage capacity needed for the first application program, and   the allocation unit allocates the physical storage area of the first storage unit and the physical storage area of the second storage unit for the program execution area, in a case where the storage capacity available for the application program in the first storage unit is not larger than the storage capacity needed for the first application program.   
     
     
         5 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising an input unit configured to input an operation by an operator of the information processing apparatus,
 wherein the first application program is a program for processing the input by the input unit.   
     
     
         6 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the initialization unit executes the initialization process of the virtual storage area, after the loading unit loads the first application program into the physical storage area, if a necessity to execute the second application program arises.   
     
     
         7 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein a storage capacity of the second storage unit is larger than a storage capacity of the first storage unit.   
     
     
         8 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the loading unit loads the second application program into a physical storage area allocated for the virtual storage area.   
     
     
         9 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the initialization unit executes, after the loading unit loads the first application program into the physical storage area, the initialization process of the virtual storage area, in a case where a storage capacity available for the application program in the first storage unit is larger than a storage capacity needed for the first application program, and   wherein the initialization unit executes, before the loading unit loads the first application program into the physical storage area, the initialization process of the virtual storage area, in a case where the storage capacity available for the application program in the first storage unit is not larger than the storage capacity needed for the first application program.   
     
     
         10 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a disabling unit configured to disable the virtual storage area when the information processing apparatus shifts to a power-saving mode. 
     
     
         11 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the initialization unit executes the initialization process of the virtual storage area again, when the information processing apparatus shifts from a power-saving mode. 
     
     
         12 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a power supply unit configured to supply power to the second storage unit when the information processing apparatus shifts from a power-saving mode,
 wherein the power supply unit does not supply power to the second storage unit in a case where a second application program does not exist.   
     
     
         13 . A control method for an information processing apparatus capable of executing an application program on an operating system, the information processing apparatus having a first storage unit and a second storage unit, the method comprising:
 allocating a physical storage area of the first storage unit for a program execution area of a first application program;   loading the first application program into the physical storage area allocated for the program execution area; and   executing, after the first application program is loaded into the physical storage area, an initialization process of a virtual storage area including a process for allocating a physical storage area of the second storage unit for the virtual storage area, the virtual storage area being used for executing an application program on the operating system.   
     
     
         14 . A non-volatile computer readable medium containing computer-executable instructions for controlling an information processing apparatus capable of executing an application program on an operating system, the information processing apparatus having a first storage unit and a second storage unit, the medium comprising:
 computer-executable instructions for allocating a physical storage area of the first storage unit for a program execution area of a first application program;   computer-executable instructions for loading the first application program into the physical storage area allocated for the program execution area; and   computer-executable instructions for executing, after the first application program is loaded into the physical storage area, an initialization process of a virtual storage area including a process for allocating a physical storage area of the second storage unit for the virtual storage area, the virtual storage area being used for executing an application program on the operating system.